KEY INFORMATION:
- Background on the Timbercreek Mulch Site – ownership, usage, agreements, etc.
- Service provided to contractors for use of the site has been between Island Contracting and individual contractors; it is separate from the Village’s residential service.
- Island Contracting has discontinued acceptance of all commercial landscaping debris at the Timbercreek Mulch Site. The decision to do this was not initiated by the Village.
- The Village’s yard waste debris pick-up service has always been for property owners who do their own yardwork. There are no impacts to the Village’s yard debris pick-up program, and property owners have access to the site to drop off residential yard debris and pick up free mulch.
Timber Creek Mulch Site
There is a reciprocal lease for the Timber Creek Mulch site between the Village and the Bald Head Association (BHA). The land for the site is owned by the BHA, but some of the adjacent land is owned by the Village and used for their boat storage area, so both entities have a lease agreement to use each other’s properties for these purposes. The site is also considered by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) permitted as a Temporary Debris Reduction Site (TDRS) for storm events. Due to the development of the Swan Quarter Site (next to the BHI Club), the mulch site is the only location on the island permitted to handle storm-related debris post-storm.
Island Contracting manages the mulch site under a service agreement with the Village, which is to accept yard debris generated by the Village’s residential yard debris pick-up program, debris within Village public rights-of-way collected by Public Works, and yard debris brought to the site by property owners who do their own yard work. The debris is ground into mulch by Island Contracting’s equipment, and the mulch is available to island property owners at no charge.
Island Contracting has accepted landscaping debris from commercial entities at the mulch site for a fee. The cost-recovery fee structure implemented by Island Contracting was reviewed and deemed acceptable by the Village Council; however, this service is separate from the Village’s residential yard debris program. Island Contracting has been operating independently in managing the collection of fees and communications with the contractors on fee collection and acceptable materials (type and size). The intent in how the Village Council agreed with this arrangement was so that the Village would not subsidize commercial entities with taxpayer resources.
Over time, Island Contracting has had the following issues with commercial entities using the site:
- Debris types not suitable for grinding (e.g., palm trunks/fronds and oversized material),
- Volumes exceeding what the site and equipment are designed to handle,
- Instances of lot-clearing for new construction being brought to the site (which has never been permitted), and
- Commercial landscape contractors failing to pay invoices directly to Island Contracting under their cost-recovery fee structure.
Island Contracting has had to pay to have the unacceptable material hauled off the island without reimbursement from the landscaping contractors or the Village. This prompted them to make a business decision and halt acceptance of commercial landscaping debris at the site altogether.
This decision was made solely at the discretion of Island Contracting and not the Village of Bald Head Island. Considering the circumstances, the Village believes it is within reason that Island Contracting is not continuing to accept debris, as they have been subsidizing the costs to manage that debris at their expense.
The scope of work that was terminated is outside of the Village’s agreement with Island Contracting. It does not impact the Village’s residential yard debris pick-up services, paid for out of the Village’s general fund. Property owners still have access to the mulch site to dispose of yard debris generated by their labor and pick up mulch at no charge.
Options for Contractors
Material that was not acceptable for disposal at the Timber Creek Mulch site has always had to be hauled off the island. Contractors who do landscape work should plan to dispose of debris properly. Island Contracting has offered dump boxes for contractors of all types, including landscapers, for years, for a fee, and has offered this service as an alternative for commercial entities that perform landscape work. Other hauling contractors are available to do the same. Landscapers also have the option to grind and place the material on their customers’ property if acceptable under BHA’s regulations.
Village’s Residential Yard Debris Pick Up Program
The Village’s residential yard waste debris pick-up service has always been for property owners who do their own yardwork. It is not a service for property owners who are clearing vacant lots. It has never been a service provided for people who hire contractors to do yardwork. Debris generated by a commercial entity has always been the responsibility of that entity.
Over the years, with increased development of empty lots, the sizes and numbers of debris piles have become larger. Having no proof of who was doing the work, the Village recently decided to amend its ordinance to limit yard debris pickups for residents to one pile and a size of 8 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet in height. Those who may be unfamiliar with this service can find more information about it HERE.
Thank you for reading this Village’s Voice announcement and for taking the time to stay informed on Village news and events. If you have any questions about the content in this announcement or about the Village’s departments and services, please reach out to us at public.information@villagebhi.org or (910) 457-9700 ext. 1025.